Intravenous flow control system

ABSTRACT

THE PRESENT INVENTION DEALS WITH AN IMPROVED METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MEASURING FLOW IN AN INTRAVENOUS FEEDING SYST EM OR OTHER FLUID FLOW SYSTEM CHARACTERIZED BY ITS LOW FLOW RATE. THE INVENTION UTILIZES THE TRANSIT TIME OR OSCILLATORY FREQUENCY OF A BALL OF FLOAT WHICH MOVES ALONG THE DIRECTION OF FLUID FLOW AND IS RETURNED TO ITS ORIGINAL POSITION BY ACTUATING A MAGNETIC RETURN SYSTEM AS ITS BREAKS A LIGHT BEAM OR OTHER SENSING SYSTEM. THE CYCLE IS REPEATED, WITH THE TRANSIT TIME OR OSCILLATORY FREQUENCY BEING RELATED TO RATE OR FLUID FLOW, AND THUS SERVING TO INDICATE SAME FOR CONTROL PURPOSES. THE FLOW TUBE BALL MEASURING UNIT PREFERABLY TAKES THE FORM OF A DISPOSABLE AND PREFERABLY STERILE INSERT INTO AN INTERVENOUS FEEDING SYSTEM.

SGP@ 20 1971 .1. l.. SPENCER 3,605,741

INTRVENOUS FLOW CONTROL SYSTEM Filed June 9. 1969 ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,605,741 INTRAVENOUS FLOW CONTROL SYSTEM Jordan L. Spencer, 560 Riverside Drive, New York, N.Y. 10027 Filed .lune 9, 1969, Ser. No. 831,351 Int. Cl. A61m 5/00 U.S. Cl. 12S-214 13 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE The present invention deals -with an improved method and apparatus for measuring ow in an intravenous feeding system or other iluid flow system characterized by its low ow rate. The invention utilizes the transit time or oscillatory frequency of a ball or float which moves along the direction of fluid ow and is returned to its original position by actuating a magnetic return system as it breaks a light beam or other sensing system. The cycle is repeated, with the transit time or oscillatory frequency being related to rate of uid ow, and thus serving to indicate same for control purposes. The flow tubeball measuring unit preferably takes the form of a disposable and preferably sterile insert into an intravenous feeding system.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION Intravenous feed means, e.g. for food, blood, drug, administration, etc., are used in numerous medical applications. Typically, a suitable chamber is provided as a reservoir of the solution to be fed, with tubing leading to an intravenous needle for injection at the venipuncture point. A tube clamp is normally placed along the feed tube for liow control. The proper and reliable control of the rate of administration of these fluids is essential to patient management and recovery. It may vary from a few cubic centimeters per hour to several cubic centimeters per minute. Heretofore, the methods employed for monitoring and controlling said ow have been timeconsuming and of limited accuracy. Typically, a nurse will set the ow rate by counting the drops per minute from the intravenous source bottle. The rates thus determined slowly and with diiculty are usually inaccurate, and due to the heavy pressure on the nurses time, there is no correction for ow rate drifting, blockage of the needle by clotting, etc. Such blockages can be dangerous to the patient if not readily noted, and require time-consuming and painful needle replacement to re-establish ow. Similar difficulties arise when the emptying of the bottle goes unnoticed. The foregoing problems of monitoring ow are further aggravated by the increasing shortage of nursing help and rising wage levels.

The present invention serves to readily monitor and indicate intravenous flow rate by automatic means, with a high degree of accuracy over a wide range of ow conditions. It can be combined with suitable warning devices to indicate the cut-off of ow, or change above or below set levels. Further, it can take the form of a low cost, sterile, disposable tube-and-ball assembly `which can readily be inserted into the intravenous feed line so as to operate `with a sensing magnetic measuring unit.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION In accordance with the present invention, a ball or float responding to magnetic force is placed in a tubular section of the intravenous feed line. As the ball moves with fiuid flow it cuts across a sensing device such as an optical sensor which in turn activates magnetic means which return the ball to its former position in the ow line. The ball then repeats its cycle. The frequency of the resulting oscillations is proportional to the uid flow ICC rate, and can be used to produce an output which indicates llolw rate. Alternately the transit time of the ball across a portion of the tube can be determined. These in turn can be interrelated with suitable warning or control systems and the like for adjusting ow to desired levels, target flows being readily indicated by the metering unit.

There are various modifications of the above-described system essentially comprising a float or ball moving in a tube which is detected and returned magnetically to its starting position, with ow rate being computed from the cycle periods for repeating the oscillating movement of the ball or oat.

Any type of tubing suitable for flow of lluid can be used, e.g. glass, plastic, etc., of any desired cross-section (normally round). Particularly when employing the invention in the form of a disposable tube-float assembly, suitable stops are provided at the ends of the tube insert to prevent the oat from leaving the tube, as will be made more clearly apparent with reference to the drawings.

The oat, which preferably is in the form of a ball, generally has a cross-sectional area about 50 to 80% of the tube cross-section, and can be made of various materials so long as it is responsive to a magnetic eld for returning it to its initial position. It can be a sphere of soft iron, with or without a coating to protect against corrosion. Alternatively, it can be a glass or plastic sphere with a soft iron core or having iron filings dispersed therein. In an embodiment particularly preferred for low flow rates and illustrated in FIG. 4, it may comprise a combination of a plastic -Whose density approximates that of the tlowing uid, and a second iron-containing sphere used to return the plastic sphere to its starting point.

The detection means for determining that the oat or ball has passed a selected point in the tube can also take various forms. It can be an optical detector wherein the ball breaks or partially obscures a beam of light which passes across the transparent tube and impinges on a photo resistor, photo tube or similar device. Alternatively, and especially in the case of opaque uids, the float can be relatively transparent, thus permitting the flow of light to the photocell and resultant detection.

Inductive detectors can also be used. By the float or ball passing through or near a small coil of wire placed near or around the tube, it can change the inductance of the coil and alter the frequency of an oscillator of which the coil is a part. Somewhat similarly, two plates of a capacitor which is connected to an oscillator circuit can be employed. The movement of the ball between the plates changes the capacitance, thus changing the frequency at which the oscillator operates.

Regardless of the type of detector utilized, it serves to actuate electromagnetic means for returning the ball or float to its initial position. The pole pieces of the magnet are placed on either side of the tube and shaped to give an inhomogenous magnetic eld which exerts a force on the float. When the detector has been stimulated by the crossing of the oat, it actuates a pulse of current of selected amplitude and duration to cause the magnet to act on the float and smoothly return it to its starting point. As illustrated in FIG. 4, two or more magnets can be employed when utilizing a multiple ball system.

The means for computing and indicating flow by virtue of the oscillations of the ball-oat can also be varied. The preferred method is to determine the time necessary for the ball to traverse length L (the distance between its initial position and point of detection and return), the resulting value being proportional to average fluid velocity and thus volumetric llow. The combination of two detectors, starting a counter at an initial `flow point and stopping it at the detector, can be used. (The input to the counter is a fixed frequency.) The output of the counter system can be displayed directly or inverted to provide a digital signal proportional to 110W which may be displayed on a standard meter or the like. More sophisticated systems for integrating the flow signal to provide a signal proportional to total volume of fluid used can be combined With means for setting off an alarm or the like when a preset proportion of the intravenous reservoir has been emptied. The nurse is then alerted to change the bottle.

The various aspects of the present invention will be made more clear by reference to the following drawings and accompanying description.

DRAWINGS FIG. 1 illustrates a basic system employing the present invention.

FIG. 2 depicts a ball float comprising an iron core surrounded by a plastic coating.

FIG. 3 shows a tube and flow assembly suitable as a sterile disposable element.

FIG. 4 illustrates the use of multiple detectors and magnets for utilization with a multiple ball system especially suitable for low ow rates.

With reference to FIG. l, shown therein is a simplified system illustrating the present invention, Reservoir contains the fluid to be injected intravenously suspended by element 11. Tubing 12 serves as a passage for the uid to be administered with valve means 13 or other ow control element being positioned therein to vary flow rate, all as is conventional.

The remainder of tubing 12 is not shown other than tubing section 14 which illustrates the operation of t-he present invention, and can be simply a portion of tubing 12 or an insert thereto as shown in FIG. 3. Tubing 14 in normal operation is preferably in horizontal position.

Float element 15, normally in the form of a ball or sphere is positioned in tubing section 14. Itis responsive to magnetic force and may be metallic, plastic vwith metal, e.g. iron, filings dispersed therein, or plastic or glass with a metallic core, the latter being illustrated by FIG. 2.

Magnetic means comprising soft iron poles 16 and 17 are positioned in proximity to said tube 14 at an upstream end thereof relative to the direction of fluid iiow.

Sensor means are positioned at a downstream portion of the tube denoted Y, generally only about 0.5 to 1.5 inches from point X, the position of the magnetic means. As shown, the sensor means take the form of an optical sensor of conventional type comprising light beam source 18 and detector element 19.

Ball 15 is moved by the flow of fluid in the tube from its initial position at X to point Y, at which time it crosses the light beam provided by unit 118. The interruption of the light beam is translated to an electrical pulse of fixed duration by unit and amplified by amplifier 21 so as to actuate magnets 16 and 17. The magnetic field thus formed serves to attract ball 15 and return it to its initial position X. The magnetic force is halted when the pulse of current to the electro magnet ceases, and the cycle is then repeated with the ball 15 moving down the tube responsive to fluid ilow to again trip the sensing unit, etc.

The frequency of the cycles or ball oscillations thus created is proportional to the fluid flow rate through tubing 1'4. It is translated into an indication of fluid flow readily ascertained by the individual or mechanical and/ or electrical means for altering fluid iiow rate to described levels by ow control means y13 or the like.

In the system shown in FIG. 1 the pulse generated by detector 19 and unit 20 is fed to counter 22 which records the frequency of oscillation and transfers this information into a calibrated frequency or ow meter which directly indicates the rate of flow of the uid.

The flow meter can be associated with an alarm unit to alert when ow has dropped below a given level, or

4 combined with an integrator system to show total volume of fluid iiow.

FIG. 3 depicts a disposal, sterile insert 30 which may be used in conjunction with the present invention. The magnetic, sensing and metering unit may be a compact combination unit placed by the bedside of the patient, with an intravenous feed system and injection means removably connected thereto to permit change of fluids, removal to other patients, etc.

In such a system disposable element 30 containing ball oat 36 acts as section tubing 14 of FIG. 1, and is placed between the sensing and magnetic units in the approximate length between X and Y of FIG. 1. Normally this is done by simply connecting ends 31 and 32 into the normal feed tubing 33 and 34 and clipping element 30 into proximity with the sensing and magnetic means. Ends 31 and 32 preferably are of reduced cross section so that ball 36 remains therein during normal storage, handling, etc.

The disposable element of FIG. 3 may be plastic such as vinyl chloride or polymethyl methacrylate, glass, etc., readily sterilized, inserted and disposed of to permit flexible and sterile utilization of the present system for measuring flow.

FIG. 4 illustrates a more sophisticated system, especially suitable for accurate measurement of low flow rates and comprising a dual float, magnet, and sensor system.

As describedgrelative to FIG. l, tubing section 50 may be in the normal conduit for ow of the intravenous liquid from reservoir to patient. Positioned therein are two balls P and I. Ball I is metallic, preferably iron, and responsive to magnetic force. Ball P is plastic or glass and of similar density to the intravenous feed fluid so as to move almost frictionlessly with the latters flow.

Initially Aboth balls are at point M1 and magnets 51 and 51' are inactive. Magnet 56, 5-6' is then pulsed so as to move ball I rapidly toward position M2. The iiow of fluid then moves plastic ball P along tubing 15 until it crosses the light beam of light source 54 alerting detector 55. The detector then actuates magnets 51 and 51' in the same manner as described relative to FIG. 1, returning ball I and along with it ball P to point M1. This cycle is repeated at a frequency related to ilow rate.

A second sensor unit 52, 53 may be utilized for improving the accuracy of the oscillation measurement and thus fluid tlow. As ball P passes the light beam from unit 52 it trips detector 53 which in turn resets and starts a counter 57 which counts pulses from an oscillator 461. When ball P then crosses unit 54, 55 the counter 57 is stopped. The number of pulses thus counted .by counter S7 are in turn related to a flow indicator which has been calibrated to give fluid ow relative to the accumulated count.

This count can also be used to actuate a controller 59, an alarm 58, a ow rate display 60, or similar system.

While the invention has particular advantage in controlling ow for intravenous feeding, it can be used in other ways where extremely low ow rates are involved and it is necessary to have a ready and inherently digital indication of flow not normally available by conventional flow meters, e.g. rotameters, and the like.

Having described the present invention, that which is sought to be protected is set forth in the following claims.

I claim:

1. In an apparatus for introducing iluids into an animate body, the combination of a reservoir, conduit means, a means of bodily introduction, means for controlling iiow, and means for indicating flow volumetric rate, said last mentioned means including tubing means having a oat element therein, said float element having a magnetic responsive material associated therewith, magnetic means positioned at an upstream section of said tubing and sensor means positioned at a downstream section of said tube, said sensor actuating said magnetic means when said oat element moving with the direction of fluid flow crosses said sensor thereby returning said float element to its original position, and indicator means for relating uid ow to the cycles of said float element.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 `wherein said float element is a ball of non-metallic material having sufficient iron therein to be responsive to said magnetic means.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said sensing element is an optical sensor.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the pole pieces of said magnetic means are placed on either side of said tube and shaped to give an inhomogenous magnetic eld.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 which further comprises computing means for relating the cyclic frequency of said oat element to fluid flow rate.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 which further comprises alarm means actuated by said means for indicating flow volume when fluid flow varies from a predetermined level.

7. In the apparatus of claim 1, the improvement wherein said tubing means having a float therein is in the form of a sterile disposable insert comprising a relatively short length of tubing, oat means responsive to magnetic force placed in said short length of tubing and freely moveable therein but contained by the ends of said tubing, said disposable insert being adapted to be inserted into said conduit means so as to co-act with said sensor and magnetic means so that the cyclic movement of said float means serves to indicate fluid ow, said disposable insert being removable and replaceable.

8. The disposable insert of claim 7 wherein said oat means is a plastic ball having iron in its internal portion.

9. In an apparatus for introducing iluids into an animate body, the combination of a reservoir, conduit means, means for bodily injection, means for controlling tlow, and means for indicating ow, said last means including tubing means having a freely movable plastic ball element having a magnetic responsive material associated therewith positioned therein, magnetic means positioned in proximity to said tubing means at an upstream portion thereof, sensing means positioned at a downstream section of said tubing means, said sensing means actuating said magnetic means when said ball element crosses its 6 position so as to return said ball to an initial position, and indicator means for relating fluid flow to the cycles of said ball element.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 which further comprises computing means for relating the cycles of said ball element to fluid ow.

11. The apparatus of claim 9 comprising a metallic ball responsive to magnetic force and a plastic ball element positioned in said tubing means, the action of said magnetic means on said metallic ball serving to return said plastic ball to its initial position.

12. The apparatus of claim 9 in which said means for indicating flow comprises at least two sets of magnetic means, and at least two sets of sensing means.

13. The apparatus of claim 11 in which said means for indicating flow comprises at least two sets of magnetic means, the upstream magnet being actuated to initially move said metallic ball downstream ahead of said plastic ball so as to permit the plastic ball to move freely with uid ow before crossing said sensing element and initiating the magnetic return of both balls to their initial position.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,339,922 1/1944 GatewOod 137--558X 2,472,389 6/1949 Von Stoeser 222-67 2,672,051 3/1954 Butler 12S-214K 3,034,504 5/1962 Winsor et al. 128-2142 3,163,176 12/1964 Darling 12S-214K 3,227,173 l/1966 Bernstein 12S-214K 3,403,555 10/1968 Versaci et al 73-194 3,450,153 6/1969 Hildebrandt et al. 137--486 OTHER REFERENCES Bennett et al.: Review of Scientific Inst., vol. 36, #5, May 1965, pp. 625-629.

DALTON L. TRULUCK, Primary Examiner U.S. Cl. X.R. 

